Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2025
223. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has carried out any assessment of legislative gaps concerning the powers, supervision, and accountability of private security staff since the introduction of the Private Security Services Act 2004. [64436/25]
View answer224. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he intends to bring forward amendments to the Private Security Services Act 2004 to strengthen public protections, increase accountability, or place statutory limits on physical restraint practices. [64437/25]
View answer226. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the current vetting and licensing framework for private security personnel includes specific safeguarding or sexual misconduct screening, and whether any reforms are planned. [64439/25]
View answer232. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he intends to review the Private Security Services Act 2004 to strengthen protections for the public in nightlife environments, including clearer guidelines on the conduct of security staff and the handling of sexual assault allegations. [64451/25]
View answer240. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to review the Private Security Services Act 2004 to strengthen safeguards for the public, including clearer obligations on venues to cooperate with Gardaí, retain CCTV, and report patterns of misconduct involving security staff. [64459/25]
View answer243. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he intends to bring forward amendments to the Private Security Services Act 2004 or related regulations to enhance public safety, improve oversight, and address emerging risks identified within the nightlife sector. [64462/25]
View answer252. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has identified any regulatory gaps regarding the authorisation, training, monitoring, and accountability of private security personnel who use mechanical restraints, and whether reforms are planned. [64481/25]
View answer253. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has considered the regulatory frameworks in other jurisdictions where private security personnel are permitted to use mechanical restraints only under defined, limited, and supervised conditions, and whether similar measures will be examined in Ireland. [64482/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 224, 226, 232, 240, 243, 252 and 253 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes the National Vetting Bureau and all operational matters such as criminal investigations.
As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot provide an interpretation of legislation. The Private Security Services Act, 2004 (as amended) provides the legal basis for the regulation and licensing of sectors of the private security industry in Ireland.
The Private Security Authority (PSA), established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing and related standards such as training within the private security industry. The Authority is a statutorily independent body operating under the aegis of my Department.
The PSA has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtas@psa-gov.ie.
The Deputy may also wish to consult the PSA website at www.psa-gov.ie/, where details of the PSA's work, as well as all Annual Reports since the year 2010, can be found.
There are no current plans to amend the Private Security Services Act, 2004 (as amended). Legislation is considered for review when appropriate.
